2007 BMW 530XI Electrical Problems

in the trunk in the spare tire well. Water could be there, flooding some electronics. The wiring got wet causing my car to just turn off in the expressway due to the comments getting wet that are harnessed in this area. I tried to get it repaired when the class action lawsuit took place but the dealership I had my car at for 3 months never performed the repair. Then the next dealership refused to perform the repairs due to time constraints. Now every time it rains I am worried my car will short or just shut off. I have had to replace the part 2 times and now I just leave it unattached . the BMW agrees to settle vehicle water damage suit for up to $478 million. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - German automaker BMW AG has agreed to pay up to $477.7 million to settle a class-action lawsuit covering about 318,000 U.S. luxury car owners who may have suffered water damage harming electrical components in vehicle trunks.

NHTSA ID

11562451

Incident

Aug 15, 2018

The front Xenon Headlight Wiring protective plastic coating has degraded and prematurely failed on both headlight assemblies. This caused headlight bulb shorting and poses a potential fire hazard in the front engine compartment of the vehicle. The wiring used in the headlight assemblies was not up to proper standards and failed. The wiring used in other areas of the engine bay seems to be okay. The internal headlight wiring appears to be supplied by the OEM Headlight Manufacturer (HELLA) and does not seem to be up to proper standards to prevent the plastic protective coating from failing over time. This should not be considered a "wear item" as electrical wiring is used throughout millions of much older vehicles without incident.

NHTSA ID

11535530

Incident

Jul 30, 2023

BMW Headlight wiring on the 530 series is defective. Wire Insulation throughout the headlight assembly crumbles. The design and wire specification were not fit for use. Heat may be an issue but has nothing to do with climate. The vehicle has spent most of its life in Michigan where the problem was first noted when the age of the vehicle was approximately 8 years. High heat within the headlight assembly also caused deterioration of the covering on fiber optic cable. This problem is well known to BMW owners. The bare wires within the headlight housing pose a risk of electrical shorts and potentially fires.

NHTSA ID

11526138

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

Headlight wiring has disintegrated and making headlight short

NHTSA ID

11519130

Incident

Apr 26, 2023

I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN WITH MY NEWBORN BABY IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THE AC/HEAT SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SMOKE CAME BILLOWING INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. IT IMMEDIATELY SMELLED LIKE BURNING PLASTIC/ELECTRICAL FIRE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED ABOUT A FIRE AND GOT MY CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE SINCE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW AND THAT THEY HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THIS PRECISE ISSUE, BUT IT DOES NOT COVER MY SPECIFIC MODEL. THE RECALL CURRENTLY OUT FOR THIS ISSUE IS # 17V-676, WHICH COVERS A NUMBER OF 3-SERIES MODELS, BUT NOT MY 530XI. I JUST GOT WORD FROM MY MECHANIC THAT IT WILL COST $1800 TO REPLACE THE FRIED SYSTEM, AND HE ALSO WARNED ME THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT THE ENTIRE CAR ON FIRE. I HAD HIM PUT THIS IN WRITING FOR ME SO I CAN HAVE RECORD OF IT. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS! BMW NEEDS TO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF THIS RECALL TO COVER OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES! THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11110219

Incident

Jul 5, 2018

Mileage

135,000 mi

RECENTLY THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT (WWW.E6061INGRESSSETTLEMENT.COM). THE SETTLEMENT STATES THAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE LESS THAN 120K MILES. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND I HAVE A SERVICE RECORD FROM 2015 WHEN THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 100K MILES. BY THE TIME THE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED AND THE DEALERS WERE ACCEPTING CARS, I CROSSED 120K MILES AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING I'M NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

11102316

Incident

Apr 2, 2015

CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME AND SHUT OFF. ABOUT 25 MINUTES LATER THE CAR EXPLODED INTO FIRE AND BURNED DOWN TO THE GROUND LEAVING THE SEATS AND TRUNK WITH ALL INTERIOR METAL PARTS ON OUR DRIVEWAY. OUR HOME WAS ALSO DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THIS CAR GOING ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND NO ONE CAN ADVISE US AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10683892

Incident

Feb 15, 2015

Mileage

137,000 mi

I AM CONTACTING YOU IN AN ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE / REMEDY IN THE REPAIR OF A BURNED OUTER TAIL LAMP SOCKET IN MY 2007 530XIT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. ON 12/31/2014 I RECEIVED A RIGHT TAIL LAMP MALFUNCTION WARNING VIA I-DRIVE AND WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I INSPECTED THE RIGHT TAIL LAMP ASSY AND FOUND THE OUTER TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET CONTACTS TO BE MELTED AND NO LONGER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE BULB HOLDER. THE STOCK AND ORIGINAL BULB TESTED FAULTY. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE DAMAGED AND MELTED CONTACT ON THE SOCKET ASSY, THE BMW REPLACEMENT BULB WILL NOT FUNCTION EITHER. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE SOCKET ASSY SHOULD IT BE NEEDED FOR INVESTIGATION. AS IS THE CASE WITH THE 2008-2010 E60 & E61 MODELS, THERE HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL FAILURES IN THE REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM RESULTING IN A RECALL. I FEEL THAT THIS FAILURE REDUCES THE VEHICLES ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR A POTENTIAL RECALL ON PRE LCI E61 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10669578

Incident

Dec 31, 2014

Mileage

55,062 mi

WE WERE UP IN THE MOUNTAINS IN AN ISOLATED AREA WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. AT FIRST THE CAR WOULDN'T START. FINALLY IT STARTED AND THE WHOLE DISPLAY LITE UP. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GO TO THE DRIVING POSITION, PLUS SEVERAL MALFUNCTION LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT AND I HAD TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST TOWN (10 MILES) IN THIRD GEAR. WE STOPPED AT THE FIRST AUTO SHOP WE COULD LOCATE AND HAVE THE MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE TOLD US WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DENVER. WE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND THIS TIME WE GOT TWO RED LIGHTS INDICATING A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION AND THE SEATBELT MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO GO DOWN INTO THE DRIVING POSITION. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO CHECK, HE TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT ISSUE THOUGH MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THEY WANTED $1300.00 TO FIX IT. I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED A MONTH AFTER THE RECALLED CARS, PRESENTLY I AM DRIVING WITH DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY. I THINK BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AS THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE LIFE THREATENING MALFUNCTION AND HAVE ISSUED RECALLS ON A FEW CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649300

Incident

Aug 16, 2013

Mileage

69,000 mi

HEADLIGHTS WENT CRAZY 4X4 LIGHTS CAME ON TOOK INTO A TECH AND FOUND CODE 93B3 STEERING ANGLE FAILURE.. FOUND CAMPAIGN SI B 34 05 06 FROM BMW REC A PROBLEM WITH STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. MY CAR FALLS IN THE DATE RANGE BUT NOT VIN NUMBER .. THE BULLETIN STATES THAT THE VIN SHOULD NOT BE THE DECIDING FACTOR ON REPAIRS.... *TR

NHTSA ID

10606139

Incident

Jun 12, 2014

Mileage

88,000 mi

DSC AND AWD LIGHTS COME UP INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPORTED FAILURE IN STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. CHECKED IN FORUMS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR ALL E60 BMW CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10584636

Incident

Mar 10, 2014

Mileage

89,000 mi

I DISCOVERED FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF ALL BUT A SKILLED MECHANIC WITH PROPER TOOLS. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE BROKEN WIRE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10555374

Incident

May 15, 2013

Mileage

75,000 mi

I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON 2008+ 5 SERIES VEHICLES. I RECENTLY EXPEREINCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL NOTICE ON MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS; HOWEVER MY CAR IS A 2007 MODEL. THE I-DRIVE WOULD INTERMITTENLY ALERT THAT A BULB IS OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT BUT IT WOULD GO OUT AGAIN. I INSPECTED THE BULB CARRIER AND BULB SOCKET AND NOTICED SEVERLY BURNED CONTACT AREA'S WHERE ONE OF THE BULB SOCKETS PLUG IN. THE RECALL CLEARLY IS FOR SEDANS 2008+ BUT I SEEM TO HAVE THE EXACT ISSUE AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES (SEE 5SERIES.NET FORUM WEBSITE). *TR

NHTSA ID

10553350

Incident

Nov 15, 2013

THE CAR BATTERY DIED AFTER SITTING FOR 6 DAYS, UPON RECHARGING THE BATTERY, THE CAR STARTED UP AND MANY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING STABILITY CONTROL ISSUE, HIGH DISCHARGE ON BATTERY, STEERING LOCK; AND DATE/TIME RESET. ONCE WE RESTARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN DRIVING, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT AWAY EXCEPT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT. WARNING LIGHT SAYS "ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION. THE WHEEL CANNOT BE UNLOCKED/LOCKED. PLEASE SEE THE NEAREST BMW DEALER FOR SERVICE". AFTER READING REVIEWS, I SEE A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WHERE THE WARNING LIGHT OCCURS ONCE A BATTERY BECOMES DISCHARGED. ONCE BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REQUIRE A WHOLE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT IF THE BATTERY DID NOT DIE DUE TO IT SITTING, THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10461287

Incident

Jun 11, 2012

Mileage

61,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI SPORTS WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,400.

NHTSA ID

10419625

Incident

Jul 15, 2011

Mileage

87,000 mi

WATER COLLECTS IN SPARE TIRE WELL, BATTERY WELL, AND PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT, CAUSING MASSIVE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 2009 AFTER OWNERSHIP OF THIS USED BMW 2006 530XI WAGON FROM THE BMW DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS 23 MAY 2011. *TR

NHTSA ID

10403811

Incident

May 23, 2011

Mileage

83,000 mi

A 2007 BMW 530XI CAUGHT FIRE SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS STARTED. THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE BURNED, CAUSING SPARKS, SMOKE, AND BURNING VARIOUS PARTS. THE MECHANIC AT CHAMBERS BMW SAID THAT THE LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT COLLECTED MOISTURE, AND THE LIGHTS DRAIN CLOGGED. THE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CAR HAS AHISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. IN DEC. 2008, 1 YEAR PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE REAR SUNROOF DRAIN CLOGGED, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. IT CAUSED THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT TO FALSELY SIGNAL, AS RDC MODULE HAD BURNED OUT. THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WHICH REQUIRED A RADIO REPLACEMENT. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE, THE DASHBOARD SIGNAL FOR ENGINE OVERHEATING WENT ON DURING A COLD WINTER DAY. WE TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED HE FIXED IT. TWO DAYS AFTER WE GOT THE CAR BACK, MY WIFE TURNED IT ON, STARTED TO DRIVE, AND THE FIRE STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10344116

Incident

Jan 9, 2010

Mileage

54,816 mi